office.
‘You too,’ Kelly said, watching as he disappeared out of sight.
She wondered exactly how friendly he was with Vernon.
Vernon was already on his feet, right hand extended, when Blake entered the office.
The men exchanged pleasant greetings and the writer sat down, accepting the drink he was offered.
“Sorry to call on you at such short notice,’ he apologised. ‘But I’ve written about two-thirds of the book and I need to check some details before I can finish it.’
Vernon produced Blake’s letter from his desk drawer.
i got it yesterday,’ he said, smiling. ‘So, how are things in the book business?’
Blake shrugged.
it could be better I suppose but then again, it always could.’
‘And how’s your new book coming along?’
‘Fine, as far as I can tell. But then who arn I to judge?’ He smiled.
Vernon’s mood darkened slightly. He looked at Blake and then at the letter he’d received from the writer.
‘You say your new book is about the unconscious mind?’ he asked.
“The unconscious, dreams, Astral travel, that kind of thing. I’ve just got back from America, I spent some time with a man called Jonathan Mathias. You might have heard of him.’
Vernon nodded.
‘He’s a remarkable man,’ Blake said. ‘Powerful.’ The writer’s voice took on a reflective note.
‘How do you mean, powerful?’ Vernon wanted to know.
it’s difficult to explain. He performs acts of faith-healing and yet he’s an atheist.’ Blake paused. ‘But, most important of all, he claims he can control the subconscious minds of other people. Their Astral bodies.’
‘How?’ Vernon demanded, sitting forward in his chair.
Blake regarded the older man over the top of his glass.
it’s some form of hypnosis,’ he said. ‘I’m sure of that.’
Vernon eyed the writer suspiciously.
it’s an extravagant claim,’ he said.
Blake shrugged.
‘Like I said, he’s a remarkable man.’
The Institute Director reached forward and flicked a switch on his intercom.
‘Could you send Miss Hunt up, please,’ he said, then sat back in his chair once more.
‘Do you believe what Mathias says about being able to control other people’s subconscious minds?’ he wanted to know.
Blake was about to answer when there was a knock on the door, and, a moment later, Kelly entered.
She looked at Blake but, this time, he was surprised to find that she didn’t smile. He got to his feet.
‘David Blake,” began Vernon. ‘This is Kelly Hunt, one of our …’
Kelly cut him short.
‘We’ve met,’ she said, curtly. ‘Hello again, Mr Blake.’
The writer was puzzled by the coldness of her voice. All the earlier warmth seemed to have been drained from it.
‘Mr Blake will be conducting some research here for his new book, I’d like you to help him with whatever he needs.’
‘But my work …’ she protested.
‘His work ties in with your own,’ Vernon said, sharply.
‘I hope I’m not causing anyone any inconvenience,’ the writer said, aware of a newly found hostility in the air.
it’s no trouble,’ Kelly said, sounding none too convincing.
He smiled thinly.
“Well, I suppose I’d better get started.’ He thanked Vernon, then followed Kelly out of the office.
The Institute Director sat down at his desk and re-read the letter which Blake had posted two days earlier. He held it before him a moment longer then carefully, almost gleefully, tore it up.
‘Did I do something to annoy you?’ Blake asked Kelly as they headed down the stairs towards her office.
‘What gives you that impression, Mr Blake?’ she said.
‘Your attitude,’ he told her. ‘And stop calling me Mr Blake will you? My name’s David.’
‘What sort of research are you interested in?’ Kelly asked him, dutifully.
He repeated what he’d told Vernon.
‘The old boy seemed very interested,’ Blake said.
‘How long have you been friends?’ asked Kelly.
‘Well, I wouldn’t exactly call us friends. Acquaintances might be more to the point. I’ve been to the Institute a few times in the past while I’ve been working on other books.’
‘How close are you?’ she asked.
Blake stopped walking.
‘What is this? Twenty questions?’ he asked, irritably.
Kelly also stood where she was.
‘Dr Vernon and I have met several times on what you might call a professional basis,’ Blake told her. ‘Although with all due respect, I don’t really see that it’s any of your
business, Miss Hunt.’
‘No, you’re right, it isn’t,’ Kelly confessed, some of the coldness having left her voice. ‘I’m sorry, Mr Blake.’
He sighed.
‘David,’ he told her. ‘Look, we have to work together for a day or two, we might as well make the time pass pleasantly.’
‘David,’ she agreed, smiling thinly.
They began walking again but more slowly this time.
‘Why is it so important to you to know whether Vernon and I are friends’?’ he enquired.
i was curious.’
I’m still curious. When I arrived here, when we first spoke, everything was fine. Since I spoke to Vernon you don’t want to know me.’
it’s difficult to explain,’ she said, evasively.
‘Then don’t try,’ Blake said, smiling.
Kelly looked at him, aware that she felt more than a passing attraction for this man.
Blake was not handsome but his finely chiselled features and sinewy frame, coupled with the easy-going personality he exuded, served their purpose well.
“Vernon said you’d been doing work on dreams,’ he said.
‘That’s what I’m still working on,’ Kelly explained as they reached her office. She ushered him inside and motioned for him to sit down but, instead, the writer wandered over to the window and looked out across the rolling lawns which surrounded the Institute. Kelly seated herself behind her desk, studying Blake’s profile as he gazed out into the sunlit morning.
The weather’s too nice to work,” he said, quietly.
She smiled.
‘Standing there isn’t going to get your book written is it?’
Blake turned and nodded.
‘Quite right, Miss Hunt,’ he said.
‘Kelly,’ she reminded him.
It was his turn to smile.
‘How exactly can I help you?’ she asked as he seated himself opposite her.
‘I’d like to see the labs where you’ve been doing your research, ask you a few questions if that’s all right but,
